---Hundreds of Illinoisans committed to advancing environmental, economic, racial, and immigrant justice will come together on September 8 in Elwood, Illinois as part of a global day of action spearheaded by the People’s Climate Movement.

The People’s Climate Movement is asking everyone to “Rise for Climate, Jobs and Justice.” Demonstrators want to show our leaders and elected officials to commit to real solutions to the climate crisis.

The global day of action comes four days before the start of the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco and two months before the midterm elections.

No more stalling, no more delays: it’s time for a fast and fair transition to 100% renewable energy for all.

We chose to demonstrate in Elwood this year because the city is home to the nation’s third-largest container port. This industrial area is a key source of pollution in the region. Elwood is located in Will County, which has more than 300 warehouses, including those operated by notorious polluters Amazon and Walmart, both of which have received massive tax breaks from our local governments. Most warehouse jobs in the area are non-union, pay poverty wages and are filled by temp workers, the majority of whom are people of color and immigrants.

Real climate leadership rises from below. It means power in the hands of people not corporations. It means economic opportunity for workers and justice and dignity for frontline communities that are the hardest hit by the impacts of the fossil fuel industry and a warming world.

On September 8, we’re demanding that our local leaders commit to building a fossil free world that puts people and justice before profits.

We are at a crossroads. By acting together, we can end the era of fossil fuels and save the climate we all depend on.